Measles vaccination coverage globally is still struggling to rebound to pre-Covid levels, leading to a 20% increase in measles cases in 2023 compared to the previous year, as per a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The setback caused by the pandemic is impeding efforts to eradicate measles worldwide, putting children, especially those under the age of 5, at risk of a potentially fatal disease that can also result in lifelong complications like deafness. Natasha Crowcroft, the WHO’s senior technical adviser for measles and rubella, emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the preventable nature of measles-related deaths.
In 2023, a staggering 10.3 million measles cases were reported globally, with most regions experiencing an uptick in cases. Only the Americas and the eastern Mediterranean region saw a decrease in measles cases that year. Despite the rise in cases, the number of measles-related deaths decreased by 8% to 107,500 in 2023. This decline can be attributed to the distribution of cases, with children in low-income countries or conflict zones facing higher mortality rates due to factors like malnutrition and limited access to healthcare.
Measles is highly contagious, causing symptoms like high fever and a characteristic itchy rash. While most individuals recover from measles, severe complications can arise, such as hospitalization, pneumonia, and even encephalitis (brain swelling) in rare cases. The measles vaccine is a highly effective preventive measure, requiring two doses for optimal protection. However, only 83% of eligible children globally received the first dose of the vaccine in 2023, with just 74% receiving the second dose, falling short of the necessary rates to prevent measles transmission. Shockingly, over 22 million children who should have been vaccinated last year did not receive a single dose of the vaccine.
All six of WHO’s health regions are committed to eliminating measles transmission, with the Americas currently holding measles-free status. Despite these efforts, sustaining political commitment to combat measles spread is becoming increasingly challenging, especially given the current economic climate. Crowcroft stressed the need for a concerted global effort to reach every child and maintain progress in the fight against measles, underscoring the mounting obstacles faced by countries in this endeavor.
